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4 Large-Cap Value Mutual Funds to Buy Ahead of September

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The U.S. domestic economic conditions remain resilient so far this year, though the picture appears mixed. Manufacturing is a bright spot while housing remains under pressure. The Empire State Manufacturing Index has jumped to 20.6 in August, its strongest reading since December 2021, while the Philly Fed Index has climbed to 47.4, the highest since April 2021.

Durable goods orders increased 1.1% in July, showing that business demand remains solid. Meanwhile, weekly jobless claims remained at a historically low level of 206,000, suggesting that the labor market remains firm despite broader economic uncertainty. GDP growth remained modest at 1.5% in Q2, and real consumer spending was flat in July.

Still, higher borrowing costs are hurting housing. July housing starts fell to 1.239 million annualized units, while single-family starts dropped 9.9% from June. Inflation remains the biggest concern. Headline PCE inflation was at 3.7% year over year in July, while core PCE was 3.3%, well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target. Brent crude has also climbed above $90 per barrel as uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz pressures energy markets. Higher oil prices could keep inflation sticky and limit the Fed's ability to ease policy quickly. Overall, the economy is still moving forward, but higher borrowing costs, inflation and elevated oil prices are keeping the outlook uneven.

Amid such market conditions, risk-averse investors who seek returns subject to low risk may opt for large-cap value mutual funds, such as Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund (MRLVX - Free Report) , Columbia Select Large Cap Value Fund (SLVAX - Free Report) , Tcw Relative Value Large Cap Fund (TGDVX - Free Report) and Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund (TCLCX - Free Report)  as the major holdingsto achieve their objective.

Why Invest in Large-Cap Value Mutual Funds?

While mutual funds investing in value stocks have the potential to deliver higher returns and exhibit lower volatility compared to growth and blend counterparts, large-cap funds usually provide a safer option than small-cap or mid-cap funds. Thus, investors may look for large-cap value funds to earn in a moderate-return, volatile environment.

Value funds generally invest in stocks that tend to trade at a price lower than their fundamentals (i.e., earnings, book value, debt-equity) and pay out dividends. Value stocks are expected to outperform the growth ones across all asset classes when considered on a long-term investment horizon and are less susceptible to trending markets.

Meanwhile, large-cap funds have exposure to large-cap stocks that are expected to provide a long-term performance history and assure more stability than what mid or small caps offer. Companies with a market capitalization of more than $10 billion are generally considered large caps. However, due to their significant international exposure, large-cap companies might be affected by a global downturn.

We have thus selected four large-cap value mutual funds that boast a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy), have positive three-year and five-year annualized returns and minimum initial investments within $5000, and carry a low expense ratio. Notably, mutual funds, in general, reduce transaction costs and diversify portfolios without an array of commission charges mostly associated with stock purchases (read more: Mutual Funds: Advantages, Disadvantages, and How They Make Investors Money).

Our Picks

Blackrock Advantage Large Cap Value Fund invests most of its assets, along with borrowings if any, in common and preferred stocks of domesticlarge-cap value companies. MRLVX advisors also invest in derivative products or other financial instruments that have similar characteristics to the securities included in the Value Indices.

Raffaele Savi has been the lead manager of MRLVX since June 12, 2017. Most of the fund’s exposure is in companies such as Micron Technology (3.6%), Alphabet (2.7%) and Berkshire Hathaway (2.5%) as of May 31, 2026.

MRLVX’s three-year and five-year annualized returns are 20.2% and 12.6%, respectively. MRLVX has an annual expense ratio of 1.04%.

To see how this fund performed compared to its category, and other 1 and 2 Ranked Mutual Funds, please click here.

Columbia Select Large Cap Value Fund invests most of its net assets in equity securities of domestic large-capitalization companies that have market capitalization within the range of companies listed on the Russell 1000 Index at the time of purchase. SLVAX advisors invest substantially in value companies.

Richard Taft has been the lead manager of SLVAX since Oct. 1, 2016. Most of the fund’s exposure is in companies like Salesforce (3.8%), American Tower (3.6%) and Micron Technology (3.6%)as of May 31, 2026.

SLVAX’s three-year and five-year annualized returns are 18.9% and 13.1%, respectively. SLVAX has an annual expense ratio of 0.80%.

Tcw Relative Value Large Cap Fund invests most of its assets, along with borrowing, if any, inequity securities of large-capitalization companies. TGDVX advisors consider large-cap companies as those with market capitalization within the range of companies listed on the Russell 1000 Index at the time of purchase.

Matthew J. Spahn has been the lead manager of TGDVX since March 31, 2003. Most of the fund’s exposure is in companies like The Bank of New York Mellon (4%), JPMorgan Chase (4%) and Amazon.com (3.7%) as of Apr. 30, 2026.

TGDVX’s three-year and five-year annualized returns are 18.6% and 13.3%, respectively. TGDVX has an annual expense ratio of 0.85%.

Nuveen Large Cap Value Fund invests most of its assets, along with borrowings, if any, in equity securities of large-capitalization value companies. TCLCX advisors may also invest a small portion of its net assets in foreign investments.

Charles J Carr has been the lead manager of TCLCX since Nov. 15, 2018. Most of the fund’s exposure is in companies like Alphabet (5.2%), JPMorgan Chase (3.8%) and Johnson & Johnson (2.8%) as of April 30, 2026.

TCLCX’s three-year and five-year annualized returns are 17.9% and 12.3%, respectively. TCLCX has an annual expense ratio of 0.70%.

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